This morning I hopped in the car, had breakfast, and headed northward.  I stopped by Ponce Inlet lighthouse and looked around there, taking a few pictures.  The lighthouse has 203 steps to the top and I climbed them all, even bought the patch saying that I did.More...

I got things together early and started for Biscayne National Park, stopping at a Duncan Doughnuts for breakfast.  The ride out was not too bad once I got about 3 miles out of town.  Just before the park I saw approx. 50 cyclists and talked to a few of them.  It was good to see a lot of people taking advantage of these rural roads and beautiful surroundings.  There are plenty of palm tree farms out there and I saw a great variety of different palms.  Biscayne National Park was nice and I learned that at one time the area was bought up and the planned use was a six-lane highway to as an extension of Miami Beach.  I'm really glad that was stopped and it was made into a national park.  I rode my bike around the walkway and out onto the jetty.  From there the view of Miami is nice but I preferred the one looking out into open water.

As I left I saw many young people visiting the park.  There is a lot to see and do here and I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.  

I chose to ride the rural roads as much as possible toward Miami and then searched for a reasonably priced storage facility to put my bicycle in.  As I entered Miami I did see one sign that I thought others would find funny.  It was a sign for a park and I have a picture below.  See the humor?  I tried A-1 but they have fees for their fees and it would have cost nearly $100 to just leave my bike there for a month.  Luckily I saw a Public Storage and there a months rent, a new lock, and all fees were only $41, saving me more than 50% over their competitor.  I really don't like making anyone look bad but when you make up fees just to charge more I think you deserve it.  A-1 even charges you $20 for "administrative fee" for filling out their paper!

In the unit I packed as much as I could into my backpack and locked the door on the rest.  I decided to walk to the airport and enjoyed just walking around for a while.  It was near dinner time and I stopped into a Cuban restaurant for a meal.  There was very little English spoken here.  The food was very good and I had a dessert and espresso to top off the tank.

I was looking to the west and as the sun set it developed a brilliant redish purple hue but there was nothing to frame it with.  I took a couple pictures anyway.  I continued my walk and eventually came to the Hertz rental car facility where I caught the shuttle to the airport since it is not designed for pedestrians.  I got to the airport and was able to work on a few pictures and do some of my blog posting while waiting for the early morning flight to Nassau, Bahamas.

 Biscayne National Park

 Anyone else see humor in this sign?

Today was an easy day with a visit to the Everglades National Park.  This was the first time I have been to this park and I had anticipated it highly.  It more than met my expectations.  Wildlife was abundant and offered many oppurtunities to photograph them.  Something about creatures that could eat me have always excited me, just look at some of my bear pictures and you will understand.  I tend to push the limits a little to obtain a great shot but knowing that any of these big gators could just grab me if he decided to really tingled my nerves.  Perhaps it was just the newness of the gator shots as opposed to the bears, coyotes, deer, and wolves I am more used to.  I also took shots of several birds and landscapes while I was there but the gators were my favorites by far.

I had seen a sign for a winery on the way in and not being one to miss a good tasting I decided to go there.  Schnebly Redland's Winerywas only about 6 miles from the park and the ride was very easy with the wind helping push me along.  At the winery  I opted for the regular and deluxe tasting.  They do charge for the tastings here but you get to keep the glass, an added bonus.  I really enjoyed several of their wines but being on a bicycle I chose a bottle of there Catagory 3 (think hurricane) wine.  It is a mixed fruit wine and reminded me of a good sangria.  One of the workers there suggested El Toro Taco as a place to eat in Homestead and the name made me think it was a small taco chain but was I surprised.  The restaurant was very nice and the food was excellent.  The only problem was their lack of a beer/liquor permit but I was able to go next door for a couple beers and carry them into the restaurant where they did provide limes and opener.

I decided to stay in Homestead for another night so I can go to Biscayne National Park tomorrow before heading to Miami.

Stats: 37.7 miles, 12.5 mph avg., 20.3 max., 8:57 total time, 3:00 moving time, 2772 calories,  97 avg. HR, 141 max. HR.

 Entrance sign for Everglades National Park

This guy was laying beside the road coming into the park

This morning I had breakfast at the inn and then spent most of the morning looking around Key Largo.  I visited John Pennekamp state park and as I was leaving Key Largo I noticed a sign for Caribbean Club.  I'm sure many will remember that this is where parts of Key Largo with Bogart and Bacall was filmed.  I had to have a beer there and look around.  The place had many posters and other memorabilia about the film.  It was a quaint and friendly place that any film buff should visit.

I had a headwind but was making good time until I hit the road construction on US 1.  The pylons were on the shoulder and that made avoiding traffic even more of a challenge.  I did get to meet the first long-distance cyclist I have seen so far on this trip.  Pat is from Detroit and on his was to Key West.  If you see him be sure to wave or toot your horn.

I made it to Homestead and found a room for the night.

Stats: 31.1 miles, 12.1 mph avg., 26.6 max., 5:07 total time, 2:34 moving time, 2327 calories,  107 avg. HR, 154max. HR.

Dressed for the Phlockers Street Fest. Did I mention that Catholic school girls are HOT!

Key Largo Sunset

Bogart and Me at the Caribbean Club

The Caribbean Club sign

Today started with a little ride to a convience store for a banana, coffee, and danish for breakfast.  There was a slight headwind making things a little more difficult.  Since this a return trip I was able to look around even more and took the oppurtunity to take more photos than on the way to Key West.  The pics I have included are Mile Marker 69 for a very special friend whose favorite number is shown, Tiki Chairs, Sign seen in the window of an art shop on Islamorada, and a scuba diving shark.

The ride was nice with the cloudy sky this morning but soon it cleared and warmed up nicely.  Most of the ride was on bike paths or wide shouldered roads.  I stopped at a Spanish Cafe for lunch and met a wonderful painter whose shop was next door. 

I made my way back to the Pelican Inn on Key Largo since I had stopped there on my way to Key West and they treated me very well.  Tomorrow I will try to make my way to Miami and check out passage to the Bahamas so I can ride a few of the islands there.

Stats: 58.1 miles, 11.6 mph avg., 26.8 max., 8:46 total time, 4:59 moving time, 4114 calories,  106 avg. HR,  150max. HR.

I woke early and walked around the southern end of Key West taking a few more pics before returning to Angelina's for the much anticipated cinnamon rolls.

I lubed the bicycle to prepare for the next part of my trip and loaded up.  I followed along the water and was about to leave Key West when I heard from my friends on their way back to Charleston.  One of them ask about a photo she had ask me to take, since it wasn't too far back I turned and made my way back to Duval Street to take pictures of the Lazy Gecko.  After several shots I remembered that I also forgot to stop by the kite shop to pick up something I had seen earlier in the week.  Since I was there I also went next door to the Blond Giraffe for another slice of their key lime pie.  In my opinion their pie is the best in Key West.

I start off again and make it off the island. 

I use the available bike paths when available and soon on Big Pine Key.  AS I ride along I got to see a Key Deer buck but he got into the bush before I could get out a camera.  Not far from there my luck was much better and I get to see another buck but this time I had the video camera out.

As I made my way across the seven mile bridge I get to see several rays again.  Since it was my first day riding distance again I decided to stay in Marathon rather than push myself and chance having to ride into the dark.

Stats: 59.5 miles, 12 mph avg., 22.7 max., 7:05 total time, 4:57 moving time,  calories,  avg. HR,  max. HR.

Kite Shop 

Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Shop

I got an early start and stopped by McDonalds for breakfast.  Some friends I met in Charleston are on their way and I want to be in Key West when they arrive.  I will be sharing a condo in Truman Annex with them for the next 9 days!

As I crossed Seven Mile Bridge I see three spotted rays swimming along in the water and stop to video them.  As I am watching their underwater ballet two nurse sharks join them.  This is one of the reasons I love traveling by bicycle, you get to see things others in cars do not.  Soon a bicycle path returns making things easier by not having to be so close to frenzied traffic.  I am also amazed by the number of iguanas along the roadway.  I have driven this route several times and had never noticed them before.  Life at island speed on a bicycle is the best.

I was making good time and stopped for iced coffee and a snack.  I get moving quickly when I get a call saying they are already in Key Largo.

Finally I enter Key West and take a couple pics then turn left so I can continue my ride beside the ocean.  I stop at the Southernmost Point marker and take more pictures and do the same at the mile marker 0 sign.  Here a few people are already commenting and asking questions about the ride I have just completed.

I hear from my friends again, they are loading up on supplies for the week at the store so I return to the Green Parrot for a well deserved beer (or two).  Here more notice my loaded bike and want to hear about the trip.  As I walk out to check on the bike my friends show up and we all proceed to the condo to unload.

After getting everything squared away we decide where we will go first and head out on the town.

Stats: 56 miles, 11.9 mph avg., 22.4 max., 6:01 total time, 4:30 moving time, 4162 calories,  117 avg. HR,  151max. HR.

I woke early and had breakfast at the motel.  After walking around and taking a few pictures I talked to Ozzie about coming to America and what it was like.  He had come over at 15 and has been here about that long.  He says things in Cuba are changing already with Fidel's brother in charge and thinks one day the relationship between our countries will be much better.  While he says he will not go back to permantly stay he does say he would buy a house there if things do improve.

After leaving there the headwinds persisted and made riding more difficult.  Much of my ride was on bike trails and those really make it safer.  It seems that many drivers are in a big hurry to get to Key West so they can relax, sort of oxy-moronic isn't it?  Perhaps if they slowed down they could see all the things I get to see riding along at bicycle speeds.  The speed really helps me to see and understand the area I am traveling in.

Just before I planned to stop for lunch the skys let loose again and I got soaked.  I tried standing next to a sign at a motel but it wasn't much help so I checked with them about getting a room but they only had an efficiency left at a higher rate because of Fantasy Fest.  I kept riding and stopped at The Wreck for lunch.  There was a picture of Philip Fulmer on the wall and the waitress told me the owner was from Tennessee.  After a good lunch and a couple beers I pressed on when the weather improved.  I made it to Marathon and decided to find a room early rather than take a chance on everything being full.  This leaves approx. 50 miles to ride tomorrow into Key West.  I am looking forward to getting to see everyone at MOTM.

Stats: 46.9 miles, 11.4 mph avg., 23.0 max., 6:40 total time, 4:06 moving time, 3396 calories, 109 avg. HR, 160 max. HR.

I did laundry and got on my way after breakfast at the hotel.  I met a couple who had biked to a coffee shop and they told me about taking the bike path along the bus route to Homestead.  This turned out to be a great ride even when the rain started to fall.  I got on my rain suit but after only a couple miles I was able to remove it.  The trail was well done and only an occasional bus rode beside the trail.  The trail crossed a cross street every so often but this was not a problem.  Anyone living in the area should really take advantage of this path.  You can ride all the way to Homestead and if you don't feel like riding back you can catch the bus.

Just before Homestead I stopped for a soda and noticed that across the street was the Coral Castle.  This was built from coral by one man and is unique.

I continued on to 344th Street and turned south on Krome Avenue.  Just before this joined US 1 I saw Sam's Hideout which claimed to be the southern-most bar on the mainland.  With a claim like that I had to stop.  There I met Sarah who came from England and now works at Mrs. Macs on Key Largo.  She gave me a card for a free dessert and also suggested I check out the Pelican for a place to stay.

I rode on and made it to Card Sound Road, my route to Key Largo.  At Alabama Jack's I stopped for lunch.  It is a great place to stop for a meal or a beer on your way.  I spoke to several motorcyclists who had seen me riding earlier and questioned me about my trip.

After crossing the bridge I turned westward but the wind had died down so I didn't get any help from a tailwind.

MORE TO COME--REVIEWING NOTES

Stats: 51.1 miles, 11.8 mph avg., 23.9 max., 8:07 total time, 4:20 moving time, 3254 calories, 104 avg. HR, 157 max. HR.

This was another wet windy day and I will try to update the last two days tomorrow with story and pics.

MORE TO COME--REVIEWING NOTES

Stats: 64.1 miles, 10.9 mph avg., 32.5 max., 10:52 total time, 5:53 moving time, 4006 calories, 99 avg. HR, 142 max. HR.